Indeed. Even though these JS libraries have become Phat and Heavy, they are specifically designed to “abstract away” the numerous browser- and browser-version specific bits, like this very one. jQuery is the dominant one out there right now, but it’s not the only one. Some, such as Prototype.js, are quite a bit smaller.(I humbly stand corrected ...) However, the bottom line is ... don’t even try to ride this pony bareback. Use a saddle.

Without qualifying that statement to discuss UI libs or something, itís not right; Prototype is almost exactly twice as big as jQuery. And FWIW Prototype is near the end of the list Iíd recommend due to the richness of other kits and its history of screwing up built-ins and not playing well with other kits.